Washington, D.C. - September 18, 2007

O, Man

Road Trip to Baltimore

It may seem like Baltimore is all Hairspray and The Wire, but in reality, Charm City’s got loads to offer.

Delights
Hit the neighborhood of Hampden for shops like Doubledutch Boutique, which carries Built by Wendy and Mon Petit Oiseau, plus indie choices like local Gusto of Baltimore (3616 Falls Road; 410-554-0055) and Form, which stocks Alvin Valley, Elijah, Vera Wang Lavender, and more (1115 West 36th Street; 410-889-3116).

Or head over to the brand-new Urban Chic Boutique in the rapidly changing Harbor East area for Marc by Marc Jacobs, Milly, Vince, and then some (811 Aliceanna Street; 410-685-1601).

Leave spare time to stop by Patterson Bowling Center. Open since 1927, it’s the oldest duckpin alley in the nation (2105 Eastern Avenue; 410-675-1011).

Sights
Take in views of the city from a water taxi. The boats pick up and drop off in different neighborhoods like Little Italy, Harbor East, and Fells Point, so you can get acquainted with the city’s nooks and crannies without exhausting yourself on foot.

Sneak a peak at the permanent collection and rotating shows at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill, dedicated to works by self-taught artists (think folk or outsider art). It’s got a really quirky gift shop with recycled cards, odd jewelry, and funky objets d’art (800 Key Highway; 410-244-1900).

Get some of that art school cool you’ve been after at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Bolton Hill, which has changing exhibitions of student work plus events like the fall film series and the Black Panther Rank and File show in October (1300 Mount Royal Avenue; 410-669-9200).

Bites
Grab a cold beer at The Brewer’s Art. The multilevel restaurant and bar offers house-made Belgian-style beers, plus a long list of imports and local brews like Clipper City Pale Ale from Baltimore County (1106 North Charles Street; 410-547-6925).

For a Natty Bo (the working man’s beer of Baltimore), you’ll have to head over to The Mount Royal Tavern. Though rough around the edges, it has a copy of the Sistine Chapel ceiling painted on its own (1204 Mount Royal Avenue; 410-669-6686).

Fancier offerings (and a friendly face — Stefano Frigerio from Tysons Corner’s Maestro is the chef) can be found at the about-to-open Osteria Cinghiale, which will offer Italian specialties like rabbit tortellini with black truffle and a 200-plus wine list (822 Lancaster Street).

Or grab a burger at the 24-hour Papermoon Diner, situated in an old house and covered floor to ceiling with vintage toys (227 West 29th Street; 410-889-4444). And don’t miss Cafe Hon, a city institution with crab cakes, meatloaf, and homemade pies (1002 West 36th Street; 410-243-1230).

With a trip like this, you’re sure to hit it straight out of the ballpark.